People who help others are going to get something in return, thanks to the staff of Circles, The Salon, in Pittsfield.

Owner Janet Sawyer wrote she was “pleased and proud” that her staff suggested an “Ultimate Makeover Contest” to honor and thank folks who give of themselves.

“What we’re looking for is people who give a lot to others, and don’t do things for themselves. We all have mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters and good friends who give and give, then give some more,” Sargent said. “We at Circles would like to give something back to those caring people.”

Anyone can nominate an individual for the contest. All that is required, Sargent wrote, “is a few words about why the hard worker” deserves a free makeover.

Sargent’s staff is donating their time for the ultimate makeover, which will include a new hair color, hairstyle, makeup lesson, manicure and pedicure valued at $150.

“We’ve already chosen our July winner, who is from Benton,” Sargent said of what turned out to be a difficult decision. “We even had a runner-up. We called her and told her, ‘You were so close,’ we actually offered her something else and kept her in the running for this month.”

Wednesday, when I spoke with Sargent, the staff was preparing to select the August winner.

Nominees can come from anywhere. Sargent said there have been applicants from all over central Maine.

To obtain a nomination form for the monthly Ultimate Makeover Contest, call Circles at 487-3200 or write Circles, The Salon, 13 Somerset Plaza, Pittsfield 04967.

I applaud Sargent and her staff for giving such a nice gift to those who make a habit of giving to others.

Searsport Historical Society president Dr. Karen Kelley invites you to attend “The Fractured History of Searsport,” with performances at 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, at Union Hall on Union and Reservoir streets in Searsport.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children age 12 and under.

Written by Dr. Ellen Fuller and directed by Valerie Murphy, the show “is a musical history lesson taught by none other than Mr. and Mrs. David Sears, for whom the town was named,” Kelley reports. “They [the Searses] are visiting their beloved Searsport from the great beyond, with memories, some of which are not exactly factual, but always interesting.”

Refreshments will be available, and all proceeds benefit the restoration of the Crary/Carlin/Coleman House, the future headquarters of the historical society and town museum.

“This event will be talked about for months to come,” Kelley wrote, “so don’t miss this opportunity to relax, have fun, and support a very worthwhile cause.”

Spc. Anthony Shelton of the Illinois National Guard e-mailed the Bangor Daily News last week that when his unit returned to the United States in mid-August from three weeks in Bulgaria, their first landing was in Bangor.

There, he wrote, “we were greeted by the wonderful people of Maine.”

“While none of us felt like persons who should have been honored,” he continued, “you, the people of Bangor, did just that.”

He expressed his appreciation for the use of cell phones, provided by Unicel, and the “wonderful welcoming back into the United States.”

“Our hearts have forever been won by the people of Maine,” he wrote. “We thank you so much for your generosity and kindness. Words, alone, can’t tell how all of us felt.”

But I believe Shelton was wrong about one thing: He and his unit certainly are to be honored for serving their country, in whatever capacity, and wherever they are sent.

Next time, it might not be just three weeks in Bulgaria.

I’m glad our Bangor International Airport troop greeters were there for them, to let them know we do honor them.

Countless individuals, organizations and businesses helped make the 2004 Bangor Public Library Summer Reading Program a success.

During “Get Real,” which focused on nonfiction, readers checked out nearly 5,000 more books than last year, and each day the library was “filled to the brim with guests, crafts, stories, games and adventure,” wrote Anne Mundy, head of children’s services.

She extends her sincere thanks to all who “donated their goods, services, knowledge and talents” to make the seven-week program fun for everyone.

Your contributions “bolstered our efforts and opened doors of opportunity,” she wrote.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.